Accessibility Quick Tip: Invitation from OIT

Call For Feedback: Draft Amendments to the Technology Accessibility Rules

Reposted from the OIT State of Colorado Accessibility Newsletter – By Alice Huyler, Senior Policy Advisor, OIT Rulemaking

The Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) invites state and local governments and all public entities to share their thoughts about the Technology Accessibility Rules. These rule updates are intended to provide further clarity regarding how to comply with the state law and associated rules, as well as to better align with existing federal law, including the ADA Title II rules which were promulgated in final form after the state rules went into effect.

We invite you to join us for virtual sessions on Thursday, March 20 to discuss your feedback on the current framework and opportunities for improvement. We’ll discuss the proposed amendments to the current rules and welcome your review and feedback. You may also send written comments through the online form or email oit_rules@state.co.us by March 21.

• Registration to attend feedback session option 1, March 20, 10 to 11 a.m.
• Registration to attend feedback session option 2, March 20, 2 to 3 p.m.

OIT is committed to providing equal access to our meetings for all participants. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation to attend and participate in this meeting, please contact oit_rules@state.co.us.

The proposed amendments, developed with the Governor’s Office and Department of Personnel and Administration, focus on the following targeted areas: 

• Clarifying the specific technologies to which the standards apply (e.g., Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for web content vs. Section 508 for certain types of hardware).
• Aligning exceptions to State rule with equivalent exceptions to federal rule, with a particular focus on:
  • Archived web content
  • Pre-existing conventional electronic documents
  • Content posted by a third party
  • Individualized, password protected or otherwise secured conventional electronic documents
  • Pre-existing social media posts
• Clarifying and aligning with federal laws regarding undue burden and reasonable modifications for external facing technology, and undue hardship and reasonable accommodations for internal facing technology.
• Potentially adding further detail on how government entities handle complaints.

Rulemaking schedule:

• March 17 – 21: annual review and early stakeholder input
• March 31: proposed rules released
• March 31 – April 30: stakeholder input
• Early May: public rulemaking hearing
• Early May: adopt rule amendments
• June 30: rule amendments go into effect

Please do not hesitate to contact the rulemaking administrator at oit_rules@state.co.us with any questions or if you would like to be included in future notices of rulemaking events. You can find more information as well on the OIT Rulemaking Webpage.